Race video is courtesy of Universal Sports Network, a SwimSwam Partner.
So, he’s officially back. Michael Phelps showed that he’s certainly ‘in the hunt’ in his first competitive final since the 2012 Summer Olympics with a 52.13 in the men’s 100 fly at the 2014 Mesa Grand Prix. There, he raced to 5th in the world, but lost to his rival Ryan Lochte, who was a 51.93 (#2 in the world).
This is sort of a reboot of the rivalry between two swimmers on the tail ends of their careers, but two who are still the most famous swimmers in the United States by far. No longer will their battles be in the 200 IM or the 400 IM; instead, it seems like the matchups are more likely to come in this 100 fly and the 100 free.
But that reboot is a positive one, as these races have a different feel than the IM’s. When listening to them talk, it’s clear that at this point of their careers, these two guys really enjoy their new lives as sprinters.
Phelps and Lochte are good for each other. When interacting with each other, we see both of them sort of drop their PR-produced personas a little bit. After the race, during the interview, the two were joking with each other, and Phelps momentarily let some of his real personality slip through, before going back to his famous polished responses about having fun. Likewise, Lochte likes to be a good role model for the kids, talk about hard work, but when talking about his race with Phelps, he let a few playful barbs slip Phelps’ way.
These two are still the faces of our sport, even within sight of their 30th birthdays, and the interplay between them is great for swimming. Races like the above are great for swimming – showing that Phelps is still an awesome swimmer, but then showing that others are capable of being just as awesome, that’s good for the sport.
Can we please stop obsessing with Debbie Phelps? I get it, she’s a supportive mother. But Michael is almost 29 years old–do we really need to ask her if he should try for Rio? I think Michael can make that decision on his own.
But clearly you are correct…Phelps just basked in the expected media hype and then “gave it” to Ryan because he would rather sit there looking annoyed saying “I am really just doing this for fun.” That was his plan. After two dozen Olympic medals he was just playing head games. Silly me…I am naive. Daddy Bowman will likely give him detention after school Monday.
Phelps doesn’t have anything to prove. He knows what people think of his “rival”. He’s got plenty of time to do his thing. He didn’t have to win that.
As someone commented in another article elsewhere…What is a “rivalry” if one guy always wins? Most Americans know that Michael has typically come out on top. They haven’t watched the Worlds or Pan Pacs in between Olympic years. He’s making it interesting in my view. Like I said, he doesn’t need to care.
The other comment I read was something to the effect of…”Big deal, Phelps was on the couch for two years and barely lost to his ‘rival’ who has been training all along”. If Phelps won, people would have less of a reason to watch. They need a storyline. It is about the viewers…That’s where the money comes from.
Me…you proved my point. Hardly sounds like you think he is training hard. Thus…if he is that fast without proper training…just think if he actually buckles down. Don’t let your obvious dislike taint an objective comment. He just swam the second fastest butterfly in the world with, what you describe, as a “lack of self care regimen.”
I’ve been a fan for some time. I know he needs to “decompress” and his days can be intense…But if I had all of that going for me, all of that riding on me, all of that time put in, all of that bs said about me…I may be taking better care of myself. It just isn’t worth it. You just never know when things will catch up with you.
Called it!! Knew MP was gonna go 52.1. Lets see if im right about his 50 free
Does anyone know what suit he is wearing hear? It looks like a Carbon pro but the logo is blacked out and it is hard to be sure. I can’t imagine he will swim for much longer without figuring something out with Speedo. I know he has an Under Armour deal but since they don’t make swimsuits I imagine he is now a free agent on that front.
oops I obviously meant here not hear.
Sean, I have read here UA is working on a swimwear line… so whatever that ends up meaning will impact his decision here. I doubt he goes back to Speedo.
That’s very interesting.
I think MP and Bowman are very smart and very realistic. MP will qualify for the 3 relays. After that, I think both will handicap the realities of MP’s age and what it will mean for recovery in Rio with 3 swims per individual event, and also the realistic chances he has to compete for a gold medal.
Right now I don’t see MP doing anything but the 3 relays and then 100 fly and 200 IM. Those are the two events where already I put him as a prohibitive favorite to win the gold medal.
I predict a perfect Rio cinco on top of his Beijing ocho.
“Training like crazy”????? You sure? Not from what I have seen…Lochte just came off knee injury….
Ryan’s knee has been good enough to go out dancing in the club almost every night since he’s been injured and then afterward doing whatever else which requires using one’s knees. That’s his business, but hard to take this “knee injury” excuse too seriously when he’s doing this kind of thing at his age.
Bottom line is two years have gone by when Ryan should have been preparing for this “comeback” and wasn’t, and Phelps gave that race to Ryan by .2. I’d like to see Phelps knock that smirk right of that manchild’s face in the coming months.
I thought you were just trolling above… maybe not? Good grief this comeback is going to make things on this site a bit more interesting.
I do like Lochte, but so much about him irritates me. I’m sure others must be thinking what I am about this race and his self-care regimen or lack thereof. I honestly don’t know how he gets by the way he does.
Phelps could have won that one if he tried. He looked like he had a lot of gas in the tank afterward, unlike Lochte. Ryan had better watch out and start taking care of his body.
I think Michael Phelps can figure out strategy for himself. Same with Lochte….
Nothing to figure out. Ryan was showing off to get the headline, and Michael gave it to him. He threw him that bone.